COLOR: YELLOW | LOCATION: UPPER ABDOMEN | ELEMENT: FIRE | ENERGY: MASCULINE | MANTRA: RAM

FUNCTION: WILL, POWER, ASSERTIVENESS | BODY PARTS: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, STOMACH

TAROT SUIT: WANDS | ARCHANGEL: MICHAEL

The solar plexus chakra is located near the upper abdomen and relates to your personal power, confidence and identity. In Sanskrit, Manipura means 'shining gem' or 'city of gems' and is the centre of who you are as a person. Associated with the fire element, this energy centre gives you a sense of purpose and motivation. It strengthens your ability to cultivate success, so that you have the confidence and willpower to achieve what you want. The color of the third chakra is bright yellow, symbolizing warmth, optimism and happiness.

The third chakra is responsible for your self-worth, values and integrity. It projects your authentic energy out into the world, sharing what makes you unique. As we grow up, many of our values and beliefs are handed down to us by our family. These beliefs often change as we get older and discover more about ourselves and what truly resonates with us. One of this energy centre's main functions is to empower you to pursue your goals with courage. It teaches you to follow your true path, while encouraging you to master your thoughts and emotions. When we learn to overcome fear or doubt, we can develop deeper self-reliance and personal power, which profoundly impacts on the other areas of our lives.

When the solar plexus chakra is out of balance, you may lack the motivation to pursue goals and feel that you have no specific purpose in life. By strengthening this transformative energy centre, you will learn to move past your fears, enabling you to discover new opportunities for personal growth and success. When this chakra is balanced, you have a strong idea of your identity. Feeling confident enough to differentiate yourself from others is how you begin to transform into the best possible version of yourself.

The solar plexus chakra also teaches the importance of having a balanced ego. This helps you achieve your goals by giving you the confidence you need to move forward. Without this, you may lack a strong sense of identity and begin to crave validation from the outside world. Attitudes towards approval. rejection and criticism are all held in the third chakra. By balancing the solar plexus, you will find peace in your individuality.

When afraid or feeling powerless, we withdraw and become passive. We hold our movements in check and use one part of ourselves to control the another. When we block our own power and expression, we are withdrawn and appear cold and controlled. To break the cycle of fear and withdrawal takes reconnection with the self in a loving and accepting way. If we are not in touch with the first two chakras - our body and ground / passions and pleasures - will have little fuel for its fire. Desire is what give our willpower enthusiasm and makes it more dynamic.

Self-esteem forms a good foundation for opening the heart and maintaining successful relationships. If the lower chakras have done their job, then we don't need to rely on others to make us feel secure, interpret our feelings or boost our ego.

This chakra is both constructive, and destructive. Ruled by the fire element, it relates to the Hindu theory that digestion is accomplished through heat: therefore food is burned to create our vital energy. Psychologically, Manipura is the center of our personal power, will, self-discipline, authority, responsibility, intellect, decision-making, and so on. Emotionally, this center provides feelings of power, worth, happiness, control, clarity, independence, and self - assurance.

FOOD & HERBS: Lemons, Pineapples, Yellow Squash, Yellow Peppers, Bananas, Brown Rice, Oats, Quinoa, Amaranth, Ginger, Turmeric, Lemongrass, Fennel, Corn

ESSENTIAL OILS: Lemongrass, Fennel, Frankincense, Myrryh

CRYSTALS: Carnelian, Tigers Eye, Pyrite, Yellow Jasper, Topaz, Tangerine Quartz, Orange Calcite, Sunstone, Yellow Tourmaline

I accept myself unconditionally

I am a radiant light to the world

I make a positive impact on myself and others

I do well with responsibility and discipline

I give myself permission to be my authentic Self

I use my power for good

I am comfortable with my power

I am worthy and capable of achieving my dreams

I am ambitious and capable of whatever I desire

I choose peace and satisfaction daily

I do enough. I am more than enough

I accept myself and stand confidently in my power

I respect differences and express my identity without imposing my will upon others

I am in harmony with all I see

I live with integrity